An arrested man kneed a Police officer in the testicles because he thought his handcuffs were too tight, a court heard.

Kyle Smith, 20, had been handcuffed after be became verbally abusive towards officers on duty in Warwick at about 7.40 a.m. on Monday, Magistrates' Court was told yesterday.

Crown counsel Carrington Mahoney said Smith told officers to get their "f****** hands off me" before raising his knee to hit P.c. Steve Darrell in the crotch.

Smith, of Sylvan Dell, Paget, admitted using offensive words and assaulting P.c. Darrell and was fined a total of $1,500.

The offender told the court he had been provoked by Police officers, who had sworn at him after he said 'Happy New Year'.

His lawyer added that officers had punched Smith in the face three times.

Mr. Mahoney told the court: "The defendant started to speak to police but his speech was slurred.

"Officers asked what did he say, and he replied 'I don't take no bull****. Don't talk no f****** bull**** to me'."

Smith was then arrested and, after grabbing an officer by the arm, was handcuffed.

"He said 'Get your f****** hands off me'," continued Mr. Mahoney. "He then raised his knee and hit Steve Darrell in his testicles."

Smith was taken to Hamilton Police Station and cautioned, said Mr. Mahoney.

However, as he was being interviewed at the station, he knocked the pen out of the interviewer's hand.

Smith told the court he acted because of the way the officers had arrested him.

"I said 'happy new year'," he said. "He said 'F you'. I said 'F you too' and they arrested me."

Rick Woolridge, defending Smith, said: "With regards to the kneeing incident, Mr. Smith complained the left handcuff was too tight and was causing serious discomfort to his arm.

"He struck out in anger. That's no excuse, but it was his response. What else was he supposed to do? Officers punched him three times in the face. He acknowledges what he's done was wrong."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined Smith $500 for the offensive words and a further $1,000 for the assault.